How Can I Help My 

Child Recover After 

a Concussion?

This handout describes common concussion symptoms your child 

may experience, and tips you can use to help with their recovery. 

Most children with a concussion, a type of traumatic 

brain injury, feel better within a couple of weeks. 

However, for some, symptoms will last for a month or 

longer. Concussion symptoms appear as part of the 

normal healing process and may change as your child 

gets back to his or her regular activities. If there are any 

symptoms that concern you, or are getting worse, be 

sure to seek medical care as soon as possible. 

Making short-term changes to your child’s daily activities can help him or 

her get back to a regular routine more quickly. As your child begins to feel 

better, you can slowly remove these changes. Use your child’s symptoms 

to guide his or her return to normal activities. If your child’s symptoms do 

not worsen during an activity, then that activity is OK for them. If symptoms 

worsen, your child should cut back that activity. 

It is important to remember that each concussion and each child is 

unique, so your child’s recovery should be customized based on his or her 

symptoms. Factors that may delay recovery include your child having: a 

history of a previous concussion or other brain injury, neurological or 

mental health disorders, learning difficulties, or family and social stressors.

CONCUSSION RECOVERY TIPS

QUICK TIPS

Ensure your child 

gets enough rest. 

Ensure your child avoids 

activities that can put him or 

her at risk for another injury 

to the head and brain.

Help your child keep a positive 

attitude. Most children with a 

concussion feel better within a 

couple of weeks.
The chart below lists concussion symptoms your child may experience, and tips to 

address each symptom. Many of the tips can help with more than one symptom. 

These tips offer temporary changes you can make to help your child’s recovery.

Concussion Symptoms How Your Child 

May Feel or Act Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery

CONCUSSION RECOVERY TIPS

Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP

Headaches • Trouble with 

concentration 

• Increased irritability

• Explore setting up school rest breaks 

(in a quiet place)

• Shorten school day if symptoms do not 

get better

• Lessen the amount of time your child 

uses screens (computers, tablets, 

smartphones, etc.) if these activities 

make symptoms worse

• Give your child ibuprofen or 

acetaminophen to help with pain (if 

approved by their doctor)

Bothered by light or noise • Symptoms worsen 

in bright or loud 

environments

• Have your child wear sunglasses or a hat 

when outside, or when exposed to bright 

lights or sunlight

• Lessen the amount of time your child uses 

screens (computers, tablets, etc.) if these 

activities make symptoms worse

• Help your child avoid noisy/crowded places. 

If needed, your child can wear earplugs or 

headphones

Dizziness or balance problems • Unsteady when walking

• Nausea or vomiting

• Take steps to avoid a fall that could put 

your child at risk for another injury to the 

head or brain during their recovery 

• Avoid crowded areas

Feeling tired • Lack of energy • Shorten school day if symptoms do not 

get better

• Provide rest breaks in a quiet place at 

school, 

or at home during the day, as needed

PHYSICAL
Concussion Symptoms Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery How Your Child 

May Feel or Act

Irritability or easily angered • Trouble dealing 

with stress

• Look for opportunities to lessen the amount 

of stress your child may feel

• Provide a place for your child to take quiet 

rest breaks, as needed

• Do deep breathing exercises with your child

• Encourage your child to talk to a trusted adult 

or friend

• Remind your child that most people feel 

better soon after a concussion

SOCIAL OR EMOTIONAL

Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery

Attention or 

concentration problems

• Only able to focus on 

school work for short 

amounts of time

• Shorten tasks

• Break down tasks into smaller activities 

or steps

• Lessen school workload or amount of activity

• Avoid cognitive activities (thinking or 

remembering) that can cause symptoms 

to worsen

Short-term memory problems • Trouble remembering 

instructions or keeping 

information and ideas in 

mind during tasks

• Repeat directions or key information

• Provide written notes

Long-term memory problems • Trouble with learning new 

information or remembering 

information already learned

• Repeat directions or key information

• Provide reminders, or tie information to familiar 

things, such as: events, objects, or people

• Break down information into smaller 

chunks or pieces

Feeling slowed down • Unable to keep pace 

with workload 

• Slower reading,

writing, or calculation

• Difficulty processing verbal 

information effectively

• Talk with your child’s school about extending 

deadlines to complete homework, assignments, 

and tests

• Reduce or slow down how quickly information 

is presented and check for understanding 

throughout the activity

Foggy or groggy • Less mental energy

• Trouble thinking clearly 

• Trouble formulating thoughts

• Provide rest breaks during activities throughout 

the day (at school or home)

• Set aside a quiet place at home for school work 

or other learning activities

THINKING OR REMEMBERING

www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP
Sleeping more than usual • Hard to wake up, shifted 

sleep schedule

• Explore setting up a later school start time

• Allow for rest breaks during the day, as needed

• Keep to a set bedtime routine with fixed sleep 

and wake up times as much as possible

Sleeping less than usual • Irritable, lack of energy • Avoid screen time and loud music right 

before bed

• Sleep in a dark, cool room

• Keep to a set bedtime routine with fixed sleep 

and wake up times as much as possible

Trouble falling asleep • Tired, groggy • Limit daytime naps or return to your child’s 

regular daytime nap schedule (as appropriate for 

their age)

• Keep to a set bedtime routine with fixed sleep 

and wake up times as much as possible

Anxiety or nervousness • Worried about falling 

behind, or pressure to ignore 

symptoms

• Talk with your child’s school about extending 

time to complete homework, assignments, 

and tests

• Help your child stay positive (most children 

with a concussion feel better within a couple 

of weeks)

Sadness or withdrawal • Withdrawal from school or 

friends because of stigma 

or activity restrictions

• Give your child time to talk with and stay 

connected to friends

• Help your child stay connected to teammates, 

even if he or she is not participating

• Talk with your doctor if depression is worrisome

Concussion Symptoms Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery How Your Child 

May Feel or Act

SLEEP

Talk with your child’s doctor if you do not feel like your child is getting better. 

Your child may need to see a specialist who has experience treating brain injuries. 

Ask your child’s doctor for the names of brain injury specialists in your area. 

The information provided in this handout or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute 

for medical or professional care. Questions about diagnosis and treatment for a concussion 

should be directed to your child’s doctor or other healthcare provider.

Information in this handout is based on CDC’s Guideline on the Diagnosis and 

Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Among Children. More information 

on the Guideline and concussion, as well as, tips to help your child feel better 

and steps you can take to help your child safely return to school and sports 

can be found at www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP.

WHAT IF MY CHILD 

ISN’T GETTING BETTER?

Tips to Help with Your Child’s Recovery www.cdc.gov/HEADSUP